Third suspect in Skripal poisoning case is identified as high-ranking Russian military intelligence officer
Denis Sergeev (pictured), a high-ranking Russian GRU officer, was today identified as the third suspect in the kripal poisoning case
The third suspect in the Skripal poisoning case in Britain was today identified as a high-ranking Russian GRU military intelligence agent.
Denis Vyacheslavovich Sergeev, who is a a graduate of Russia’s Military Diplomatic Academy, was identified this afternoon by investigative website Bellingcat.
It comes nearly a year after the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on March 4 left the Russian former double agent and his daughter Yulia critically ill.
The attack also resulted in the death of Dawn Sturgess in July who was later exposed to the same nerve agent.
A Bellingcat spokesman said today: ‘Bellingcat can now reveal the true identity and background of this GRU officer, who operated internationally under the cover persona of Sergey Vyachaeslavovich Fedotov.
‘In fact, this person is Denis Vyacheslavovich Sergeev, a high-ranking GRU officer and a graduate of Russia’s Military Diplomatic Academy.’
Ruslan Boshirov (left) and Alexander Petrov (right) have already been accused of travelling to the UK to try to murder Mr Skripal with Novichok last year
Tthe attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal (right) in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on March 4 left the Russian former double agent and his daughter Yulia (left) critically ill
Police stand guard at the bottom of the road where Mr Skripal lives in Salisbury last March
Two Russian nationals have already been accused of travelling to the UK to try to murder Mr Skripal with Novichok last year, smearing the highly-toxic substance on his home’s door handle.
Evidence gathered by intelligence agencies led the Government to conclude that the men were officers from the Russian military intelligence service, the GRU.
The two suspects – known by their aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov – were caught on CCTV in Salisbury the day before the attack.
A counterfeit Nina Ricci perfume bottle is thought to have contained the substance, and is what Ms Sturgess handled. She subsequently fell ill in Amesbury and died.